Okay.. i've been drinking, so I will try my best BUT:
In America, religious law is not being forced from the top down. A believer, regardless of religion, is able to practice their faith within established, non-partisan laws.
(Okay. This is the case in some areas of some Islamic countries.)
In many Islamic countries, Sharia law is pushed from the top down and takes precedence over a democratic law.
(Okay - somewhat - its more the people)
Many Muslims do indeed want a democracy free of religious rule but even a minority there is able to dictate what is permissible.
(Not really, Muslims wanting democracy is in the minority. Due to the economic situation - 90% of the people having 10% of the wealth or visa versa I have heard the terms communism and socialism tossed about - amongst the educated Arab. Point is, no one is looking out for society as a whole, they DO NOT want democracy and all but the most educated could not even explain what democracy is feasibly - the most educated are busy hoarding wealth over others. Please do not ask for examples, just take my word that some of the wealth they have is sickening. The monarchy in the UK lost power by war. The US was lucky enough to never have a monarchy and as far as the Middle-Eastern Monarchy is concerned, as long as they can point the finger at the West and hoard the wealth for themselves, they are happy.)
So please read my original post in which I state that for most middle-eastern and Asian Muslims, Sharia law is the law and there is no such thing as civil liberties outside of what is indicated in the Qu'ran. American liberties and Islam can kind of coexist because of the tolerance and freedom that America offers, not because Islam is tolerant and free.
(You seem to have toned things down a little - I've heard this rhetoric before by the way. I am skeptical. Cenatar and Java have pretty much dispelled this viewpoint with basic logic - regardless of circumstance - If Islam is so intolerant, explain how I lived in a community with a church and predominantly Christian people for nine years. It's all down to money, power and the state. Some countries will give basic religious freedoms - I was confirmed Christian in the Middle-East, you know. It just tends to come with a basic price attached. There are many ways in which Islamic, Middle-Eastern countries have it better than Western countries.)
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2008 07:32PM by Istirith.